Parlor palm is known for its ability to purify the air and its elegance. But does parlor palm need sunlight! Or it can grow in low light conditions. And what about taking full sun!
In this article, I will answer these questions. Plus I will tell you what to do in order to give your parlor palm the light it loves.
But before diving deep into the details I will put the answer for our main question as simple as this: does parlor palm needs sunlight? Parlor palm needs bright indirect sunlight in order to reach its full potential. Although it will tolerate low light. While it will not tolerate direct sunlight.
Keep reading to know why parlor palm needs sunlight. And what you should do in order to give it the light it needs.
Why parlor palm needs sunlight
Parlor palms use sunlight as an energy source in order to conduct photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is the process of turning water and carbon dioxide into food (sugar).
Therefore the parlor palm needs some kind of light in order to produce its food.
The secret to successful gardening is to know how your plants live in their natural habitat. Then trying to mimic their natural habitat in your place as much as you can.
Parlor palm is native to the rainforests. In the rainforests, parlor palms grow under the shade of tall trees.
Therefore it gets low to medium indirect sunlight. This is the kind of light which parlor palm evolved throughout thousands of years to cope with.
How much sunlight parlor palm needs
If you want to grow your parlor palm indoors locate the pot in a location that gets bright indirect light.
A north-facing window is ideal for parlor palms. In a such location, it will get 1 to 2 hours of morning direct sun which is something great for your plant.
While it will get bright indirect sunlight during the afternoon period (hot sun).
On the other hand, if you want to grow your parlor palm outdoors located in a location that has indirect sunlight.
Hot direct sunlight can burn your plant’s leaves. Also, make sure to bring your parlor palm indoors during winter when temperatures fall below 50 F. Because parlor palms will die in such temperatures.
Can parlor palm take full sun?
The general rule is that parlor palms can’t take full sun. But there are two exceptions. First, it can tolerate 1 to 2 hours of early morning direct sunlight.
Actually, such sunlight will make your plant grow fast, thrive,.and be in its best shape.
The other exception, You can expose your parlor palm to direct sunlight in winter. Because such sunlight is already weak.
Those are the only exceptions. Otherwise, put your parlor palm away from direct sunlight as direct sunlight will burn your plant’s leaves.
Can parlor palm grow in low light?
One of the reasons behind the popularity of parlor palm its tolerance to low light. Parlor palms can grow in low-light locations wonderfully.
But it will not tolerate deep low light or complete darkness. In the end, all plants need some level of light to conduct their photosynthesis process.
If your parlor palm casts shade this means it getting enough amount of light.
But if it located in a very dark place it may drop its leaves and wilt. In such a case move your plant to a brighter spot.
In conclusion
In this article, I hope I answered one of my reader’s most asked questions: “does parlor palm needs sunlight”. Simply parlor palm will thrive best in a location that gets bright indirect sunlight.
While it will tolerate early morning direct sunlight and winter weak sunlight.
But it will not tolerate hot direct sunlight. Although it will tolerate low light.